How do I know if my shoulder blade pain is serious?

Any back or shoulder pain that lingers a few weeks or interferes with daily activities should be evaluated by a doctor. If your pain is severe or accompanied by other red flag symptoms—such as headache, tingling, weakness, or nausea—seek immediate medical attention.

How do I know if my shoulder pain is referred?

Topic Overview. Unexplained shoulder pain that does not change when you move your neck, shoulder, or arm or that occurs with symptoms elsewhere in your body (such as in your abdomen or chest) may be referred shoulder pain.

What does it mean when you have pain in your shoulder blade?

Shoulder pain can develop from a variety of sources, such as tendinitis, arthritis, torn cartilage, and many other medical conditions and injuries. One other common cause of shoulder pain is a pinched nerve in the upper spine, also known as cervical radiculopathy.

What organ is behind your left shoulder blade?

The spleen sits under your rib cage in the upper left part of your abdomen toward your back. It is an organ that is part of the lymph system and works as a drainage network that defends your body against infection.

What are the symptoms of a pulled muscle in the shoulder blade?

tenderness in the upper back area. a popping or grinding noise when you move the shoulder blade. tightness, swelling, and muscle knots around the muscle. loss of movement, or difficulty or pain when moving the muscle.

How do you relieve shoulder blade pain?

Relieving the Pain Under Your Shoulder Blade

1. Rest your upper back from activity. If your pain worsens when you do certain movements or physical activities, such as household chores or exercise, rest for a day or two.
2. Apply ice and/or heat.
3. Take over-the-counter (OTC) medication.
4. Massage it out.
5. Visit a health care provider.

How do you tell if I pulled a muscle in my shoulder?

Symptoms of a pulled muscle include:

1. Bruising, swelling or redness at the injury site.
2. Difficulty using the affected muscle.
3. Muscle weakness.
4. Sudden pain when using the affected muscle.
5. Pain when the muscle is at rest.

What are the symptoms of a pinched nerve in shoulder blade?

Pinched nerve signs and symptoms include:

• Numbness or decreased sensation in the area supplied by the nerve.
• Sharp, aching or burning pain, which may radiate outward.
• Tingling, pins and needles sensations (paresthesia)
• Muscle weakness in the affected area.
• Frequent feeling that a foot or hand has “fallen asleep”

Where is shoulder blade located?

Scapula: More commonly known as the shoulder blade, the scapula is a flat triangular bone located in the upper back. It connects with the collarbone at the front of the body. Humerus: The largest bone of the arm, the humerus connects to the scapula and clavicle in the shoulder.

Why does my upper left back hurt when I take a deep breath?

If the upper back hurts when a person breathes, they may have strained a muscle. If this symptom occurs after an accident or injury, it is important to see a doctor, who can check for any damage to the spine. Pleurisy and chest infections can both cause pain when breathing.

How long does a pulled shoulder blade muscle take to heal?

Moderate sprains or strains may take as long as six to eight weeks before you can resume day-to-day shoulder activities. Severe strains or sprains may feel better within four to six weeks, but they need three to five months of rehabilitation before resuming full shoulder activity.

What does it mean when your left shoulder blade hurts?

If your left shoulder blade is hurting, it could be a sign of certain heart conditions, such as pericarditis or aortic dissection. Lung cancer may further manifest as shoulder blade pain. If you have any other symptoms, such as shortness of breath, dizziness, or chest pain, seek emergency medical attention.

How do you know if you have shoulder pain?

Pain On Top and Outside Of Shoulder – This is where the bursa is located. If you lay on your side and put pressure on this spot it will trigger pain. Pain Caused By Activity – This is unlike osteoarthritis, in which the pain is worse with inactivity.

What are the symptoms of a broken shoulder blade?

A fractured shoulder blade is usually obvious. You’ll experience severe pain at the onset of the injury. It is often caused by a direct blow or trauma, such as a car accident. When this happens, it’s critical to seek out immediate medical attention. Avoid using the affected side.

What are the signs and symptoms of a frozen shoulder?

Top Symptoms: pain in one shoulder, spontaneous shoulder pain, pain that radiates down arm, pain in the back of the neck, severe shoulder pain Use our free symptom checker to find out what’s causing your pain. Frozen shoulder is also called adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder.